Drake named a top 200 school, and #1 in Iowa for “Best Value School” Drake University was once again ranked among the top 200 best colleges in the nation — this time in the U.S. News and World Report national university rankings, competing against the largest universities in the country. The news comes just weeks after receiving similar accolades from The Wall Street Journal’s 2025 College Pulse Ranking. U.S. News also ranked Drake as the #1 private school in Iowa within its national university rankings. According to the U.S. News national university ranking methodology*, Drake also secured high marks in several...
Drake Welcomes the Most Diverse Entering Student Class in University History
Highest percentage of diversity, first-generation, and Pell-eligible students on record As students across the country settle into a new school year, Drake University is welcoming new undergraduate students to campus — and it is the most diverse group of students in the University’s 143-year history. The University is proud to report the diversity of the new undergraduate student population is 37.4%. This includes entering first-year (EFR) and transfer students seeking bachelor’s degrees at Drake as well as first-year and transfer students seeking associate degrees from Drake’s John Dee Bright College. Specifically, the diversity of EFR students joining Drake is 35.3%,...
The Wall Street Journal ranks Drake University as #1 Private School in Iowa
Return on investment of a Drake education among top 3 percent in the nation Drake University was ranked the top private school in Iowa for the second year in a row and among the top 200 best colleges in the U.S. by The Wall Street Journal’s 2025 College Pulse Rankings. Among all Iowa schools, Drake ranked highest in Salary Impact Score (a rating of graduate salaries relative to the cost of attending), as well as the Value Added to Graduate Salary score (value added to graduates’ median salary attributable to attending the college). These rankings from The Wall Street Journal...
Drake Pharmacy Professor Shankar Munusamy Receives 2025 ASPET Pharmacology Educators Award
Dr. Shankar Munusamy, Professor of Pharmacology and Director of Assessment at Drake University’s College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, recently received the 2025 ASPET Pharmacology Educators Award. This national honor from the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (ASPET) celebrates educators who advance pharmacology education through innovative teaching pedagogies and assessment methods. Dr. Munusamy is devoted to continuously publishing work and creating innovative pharmacology instructional methods, and this accomplishment recognizes that. Throughout his career, he has been committed to fostering critical thinking, problem-solving, and lifelong learning among students. He says that this recognition reaffirms his passion for teaching, mentoring,...
Law School News
Drake University Law School Announces New Faculty Members for Fall
Drake University Law School is pleased to announce the arrival of two outstanding new faculty members for the coming school year, Dean Strang and Kristi Harshbarger. Assistant Professor of Law and Director of the Entrepreneurial and Transactional Legal Clinic, Kristi Harshbarger, will play a key role in advancing the law school’s clinical education in transactional and business law. Associate Professor of Law and Director of the Institute for Justice Reform and Innovation, Dean Strang, will teach criminal law and criminal procedure. Each bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to their respective roles. “I am delighted to welcome these two...
The Ones
Johansen Student Center Art Installation is Empowering the Next Generation
Multiple local artists contributed artwork to the Johansen Student Center. One extraordinary piece, Empower, honors Trustee Emeritus Fran Kinne, a trailblazer in the field of education. It also pays homage to the women philanthropists who made significant gifts to the Johansen Student Center renovation project. Empower is a three-dimensional, visual artwork that hangs in the entranceway of the Johansen Student Center. Referred to as an agamograph, the piece uses optimal illusion and motion to change depending on the angle from which it is viewed. From one corner of the room the message reads Empower and from the opposite corner it reads...
Yolanda Griffiths Leaves Legacy of Transformation in Drake University OTD Program
Dr. Yolanda Griffiths, professor of occupational therapy and former program director, will conclude her eight years of service for the Occupational Therapy Department within Drake University’s College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (CPHS) on May 30, 2025. Dr. Griffiths arrived at Drake University in June of 2017, when the Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program was still in its infancy. As she stepped through the doors, she immediately got to work in getting the young program on its feet. She helped nail initial accreditation and fine-tune the program’s curriculum to bring in more students. She also helped hire and mentor faculty,...
Drake SJMC Students Secure Positions with Real Simple, Southern Living, Eating Well and more
Six Drake University students have been selected to serve as Dotdash Meredith apprentices for the 2025-2026 academic year. Assignments this year include editorial, social, and graphic design positions with Southern Living, Real Simple, Midwest Living, Eating Well, Parents, and BHG.com. Dotdash Meredith is the largest digital and print publisher in the country. Students are placed with one of the company’s national brands for the academic year, learning from and working alongside industry professionals locally at the Des Moines offices and remotely with teams in New York City and Birmingham, Alabama. “The Dotdash Meredith Apprenticeship Program is a chance for students to...
Drake CPHS Celebrates 129 Professional Program Graduates at 2025 Commencement Ceremony
The College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (CPHS) held its annual Professional Hooding and Commencement Ceremony for professional program students on Friday, May 16, 2025. The CPHS Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences undergraduate students participated in the University Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony held on Saturday, May 17th. Receiving their degrees and doctoral hoods during the CPHS Hooding and Commencement Ceremony were: The Hooding and Commencement Ceremony included reflections from three of the graduating student government representatives. Mackenzie Laughlin (OTD), Kayla Batdorf (PharmD), and Darinka Stepan (MAT) congratulated their peers and wished them luck in the next chapter of their careers. ...
CPHS Pinning Ceremony Recognizes Rising Final-Year Healthcare Students Entering Experiential Learning
Drake University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (CPHS) held a pinning ceremony on May 8, 2025 to celebrate students entering internships, fieldwork and rotation experiences in the final year of their programs. CPHS faculty presented Drake University pins and name badges to third-year undergraduate health sciences students, first-year Master of Athletic Training students, second-year Occupational Therapy Doctorate students, and third-year Doctor of Pharmacy students. Over the next year, these students will enter the workforce to gain essential on-the-job experience. “This ceremony is our opportunity to congratulate each of you, and to celebrate your transition into your final phase of...
Zimpleman College of Business Recognizes Dean’s Honor Roll for Social Impact Recipients for the 2025 Spring Semester
Drake University’s Zimpleman College of Business is pleased to honor the latest cohort of students named to the Dean’s Honor Roll for Social Impact. In the Spring 2025 semester, four students collectively contributed approximately 165 hours of community service. To receive this recognition, each student completed and recorded a minimum of 20 hours of volunteer service, participating in meaningful projects that benefit the community. In addition to their service, students thoughtfully reflected on their experiences, offering insights into how their efforts made a difference and supported their own personal and professional growth. The students named to the Spring 2025 Dean’s...
Professors Kassel, Andreski and Williams recognized at CPHS Awards Ceremony
At the inaugural CPHS Awards Ceremony held on April 24, 2025, the Drake University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences presented awards to three faculty members who demonstrated outstanding teaching, leadership, scholarship, service, and professional involvement over the past year within their fields. Professors Lynn Kassel, Michael Andreski, and Richelle Williams were selected to be recognized with these distinguished awards. Lynn Kassel, Professor of Pharmacy Practice, received the Richard Morrow Transformational Leadership Award. This award recognizes a faculty member whose transformational work has gone above and beyond. Transformational leaders focus on team building, motivation and collaboration with colleagues to accomplish...
Featured EventsOfficial News Releases
5 Summer Camps at Drake University for High School Students with Diverse Interests
From business, journalism, or healthcare to vocal performance and faith—there’s something for everyone Drake University offers a variety of summer camps aimed at high school students who want to explore careers and grow their skills in the arts, journalism, faith, health sciences, or business while immersing themselves in a college campus and preparing for the next step of their academic careers. Drake University Voice Intensive (DUVI) June 16-20, 2025 This annual summer camp is designed for young singers ages 14+ to develop their voices and build confidence in performing and auditioning. During this weeklong camp, students are invited to participate...